On May 8, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department issued its 7th severe weather warning (56/2569) affecting the country through May 10. The northern, northeastern, eastern, and central regions along with Bangkok and its metropolitan area are expecting thunderstorms, strong gusty winds, and heavy rain in some areas. Temperatures will drop as a high-pressure system from China moves across the northeastern region and the South China Sea, while southeasterly winds bring moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into upper Thailand. Strengthening easterly winds over the southern region and Gulf of Thailand will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas.

The public is warned to avoid thunderstorms and strong winds by staying away from open areas, large trees, weak structures, and unstable billboards. Heavy and accumulated rainfall may cause sudden flash flooding and flash floods. Farmers should reinforce fruit trees and prepare to protect crops and livestock from damage, while everyone should maintain health during weather changes.

Citizens are urged to monitor announcements from the Thai Meteorological Department via www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182, available 24/7. The next bulletin will be issued on May 9, 2569 at 5:00 AM.

High-Risk Provinces:

May 8: Northern region includes Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, and Phetchabun. Northeastern provinces are Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Buriram. Central region includes Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Kanchanaburi. Eastern provinces are Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, and Chon Buri. Southern provinces include Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Yala, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

Medium-Risk Provinces:

Northern: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae. Northeastern: Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Central: Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Bangkok and vicinity. Eastern: Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Southern: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Phuket.

May 9 High-Risk Provinces:

Northern: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, and Tak. Central: Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, and Suphan Buri. Southern: Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

The Supreme Prosecutor's Office has explained its decision not to appeal a rubber glove procurement case involving the State Warehousing Organization that resulted in a 2 billion baht loss, after the court dismissed charges on May 20, 2024. The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Combating Corruption Region 1 released documents clarifying the Supreme Prosecutor's decision not to appeal against Pol.Col. Rungroj Putthiyawattana and 20 other defendants. The case was filed under multiple laws including the Act on the Wrongdoing of Officials in State Organizations (B.E. 2502) and the Act on the Offense Related to Price Quotation for State Agencies (B.E. 2542). The lower court dismissed the charges against defendants, with the Supreme Prosecutor determining that rubber gloves are consumer goods not covered by the State Procurement Act (B.E. 2560), as their procurement involved direct commercial activities within the State Warehousing Organization's mandate. The prosecutor concluded that the defendants' commercial transaction fell within the organization's authority under relevant royal decrees and regulations.

Global Esports has successfully secured their first-ever ticket to an international VALORANT tournament following an exciting victory. Coached by FrosT, Global Esports pulled off a stunning upset against fan-favorite Paper Rex, winning 2-1 in maps (Breeze 13-9, Lotus 6-13, and Pearl 13-5) in the Upper Bracket Semifinals of VCT Pacific Stage 1. This victory sends them directly to the Grand Finals as the first team to advance, and guarantees them a spot at Masters London in England—marking the organization's first international tournament. While Paper Rex fell short, they still have a chance to redeem themselves in the lower bracket, where they await the winner of the match between NS RedForce and KRX. The VCT Pacific Stage 1 finals week will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from May 15-17.

Unable to wait for freedom! A tearful father expressed his anguish as his son escaped prison with just 23 days left on his sentence, believed to be searching for his missing wife. The Department of Corrections has issued a wanted notice for Sekkasorn Ruptong, who fled Thanyaburi District Prison in Pathum Thani on May 7th.

On the morning of May 8th, prison commander Phitakpong Noipitaksa and staff held an urgent meeting regarding the escape. CCTV footage from a store near the prison's western entrance showed a gray-black Toyota Revo pickup truck without license plates backing up to the escape point and driving away immediately.

The Department of Corrections clarified that the inmate escaped around 10:47 a.m. on May 7th while participating in a vocational training program outside the prison. Sekkasorn Ruptong, 37, was serving time for assault charges with 23 days remaining (scheduled release May 30th). As a low-risk inmate with a lengthy incarceration record, he had been selected for outside vocational training to prepare for eventual release.

The escape occurred when he slipped away from the training area near the prison's front, exiting through the back of the prison coffee shop before boarding the unmarked pickup truck. Authorities have coordinated with police and relevant agencies for apprehension and established a fact-finding committee.

Reporters visited Paan, 78, the father of Sekkasorn, at his home in Rangsit, Thanyaburi. Speaking through tears, Paan said he only learned of the escape from officials yesterday and cannot contact his son. He revealed his son never mentioned plans to escape, but suspected personal problems triggered the decision. His son's girlfriend disappeared from home and became unreachable, causing him severe distress. Combined with bullying from friends and financial burdens from vehicle and house payments, the accumulated stress likely drove his son to escape and search for his girlfriend. Paan pleaded with his son to contact authorities and turn himself in.

The Khaokonchai organization held a press conference on May 8, 2569, to announce the Khaokonchai 10K Thailand Championship 2026, Presented by LG, set for June 21, 2569, at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, expecting over 8,000 participants. This is Thailand's only 10K race officially certified for distance and time records by the Thai Athletic Association under Royal Patronage, featuring a "time-attack course" concept along a unique central Bangkok landmark route.

The press conference was attended by distinguished guests including Dr. Satthit Pitutecha, Honorary Advisor to the Khaokonchai Association; Dr. Pakorn Tungkaserikun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health; and representatives from Thailand's Tourism Authority, the National Emergency Medicine Institute, and LG Electronics Thailand. Leading running influencers including Tham Satthavut (content creator "Taakheed Runner"), Dr. Charinnaya Kanjansevi (first Thai to set a Guinness World Record running a marathon in Thai traditional dress at London Marathon 2023), and Coach Bank Satyawat (founder of "Kids Go Tri" running team) also participated.

Memorandums of Understanding were signed between all relevant government agencies to drive the event forward. As the main sponsor, LG is offering a special opportunity for runners achieving SUB 50-minute times to participate free of charge. The event also features the "LG LINE Points" activity for participants registered through LINE, offering discounts on LG products, vouchers, and special benefits for LG Members who can accumulate points and win prizes at the event booth. The organizers emphasize how the championship brings together sports, technology, and lifestyle in a comprehensive experience.

Dr. Satthit Pitutecha stated that the Khaokonchai Association was founded to promote good health among Thai people through physical activities, with this 2026 championship representing a significant step in elevating Thai running competitions to official national standards. He expressed pride in the excellent cooperation from all sectors and hoped to see all runners create positive memories together on the beautiful central Bangkok route.

Dr. Pakorn Tungkaserikun from the Department of Health affirmed government support for activities promoting sustainable healthy behavior, noting that the officially certified 10K course represents an important milestone in developing Thailand's running sports scene, with Siriraj Hospital's medical team providing safety oversight for all participants.

SURIN — May 8, 2026 — Explosive ordnance disposal teams in Surin province are racing against time to find and destroy the last remaining unexploded BM-21 rockets from border clashes before farmers can return to their fields. Pol. Lt. Col. Watcharin Chanthom, head of the EOD special operations unit in Surin provincial police, led officers and humanitarian demining teams to sugarcane fields and rice paddies west of Ban Chorok village in Dan subdistrict, Kap Choeng district on Thursday to clear six remaining impact sites from a barrage of BM-21 rockets fired on July 24, 2025—the same attack that killed an 8-year-old boy known as "Nong Namkhong" and 32-year-old Bandit Unjit.

Authorities used scanning equipment to search for explosives before excavating two sites. The first location showed the rocket had detonated on impact with fragments still buried underground. At a second sugarcane field, crews dug nearly 10 meters deep but could not locate the rocket after groundwater flooded the excavation. Officials explained that the rocket likely sank deeper than 10 meters into the rain-soaked soil during the monsoon season and no longer posed a threat, noting that BM-21 rockets can penetrate more than 20 meters underground in saturated conditions.

The sugarcane field owner expressed reassurance and planned to place a concrete pipe over the location as a marker while using the groundwater for irrigation. Authorities said the remaining four sites would be excavated within two days. The operation was conducted under observation by senators, provincial officials, and local administrators as part of broader visits to border communities affected by the fighting and compensation efforts for residents impacted.

Lt. Gen. Boonchan Nuansai, a senator from Surin province, thanked EOD officers for helping ensure villager safety. In Kap Choeng district alone, including Dan and Ta Tien subdistricts, 189 BM-21 rockets have been identified, with eight additional suspected impact points still under investigation. In neighboring Phanom Dong Rak district, authorities estimate between 400 and 500 BM-21 rockets landed during the first round of fighting, with later clashes involving heavier RPG use.

The clearance operation began after residents requested assistance from district authorities to ensure fields were safe before planting crops. Suphon Kanphai, 47, owner of one of the sugarcane fields, said he discovered impact marks and metal fragments after inspecting his land following the clashes. "Nearly 10 rockets fell in this area alone," he said. "Some craters were very small and could disappear after heavy rain washed soil over them." Although the rocket at his site was not recovered, he expressed confidence in the authorities' assessment and no longer feared returning to work his land.